the gnatcatcher vol. xlvii, no. 3 — may / june 2015

President’s

Message

The Gnatcatcher Newsletter of Juniata Valley Audubon

Vol. XLVII, No. 3 — May/June 2015 Published bimonthly (except for July and August)

as a benefit for members of the…

JUNIATA VALLEY AUDUBON SOCIETY

President's Message: -Laura Jackson

A six-year project to preserve open space and to recognize a historic agricultural area is on the cusp of an important milestone.

The project began in 2009, when a small group of Bedford County volunteers (which included yours truly and husband Mike) met to organize against an industrial wind project proposed for Dunning/Evitt's Mountain. Approximately 25 wind turbines, each over 400 feet tall, were slated for the top of the mountain that defines Dutch Corner, a small cove north of Bedford, PA. We felt that Dutch Corner deserved to be recognized for its historic value and hoped that the recognition would deter industrial wind development. Many people living in Dutch Corner loved the rural farming landscape and the undeveloped mountain. They wanted it to stay that way – they didn't want their "paradise to turn into a parking lot," as Joni Mitchell described in her 1970 hit song, "Big Yellow Taxi."

Aerial Photo by Laura Jackson We soon learned that recognition on a state and even federal level would not stop industrial development, but we decided to move forward with a plan to inventory the historic farms and buildings, develop a database of historic resources, and to ask the state for historic recognition. We wanted to apply for a state grant to support this work, but our newly formed Dutch Corner Historical Society was ineligible to apply, since we were not a formal organization with at least 5 years of 501(c)3 designation. Ironically, the county historical society would not work with us, citing the opposition to the wind project as "too political." Fortunately, when we asked the Juniata Valley Audubon Society (JVAS) Board for help, they readily agreed to apply for state funding. Since then, JVAS has received 2 grants totaling $19,000 from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, thereby allowing us to do the historical surveys and inventory. Continued on Next Page

The Juniata Valley Audubon Society (JVAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society and is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity. Juniata Valley Audubon accomplishes its mission through advocacy, science, land stewardship, and education - working directly with Audubon Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania state office of the National Audubon Society. The JVAS is a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, educational organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts are deductible for income tax purposes (Tax ID # 25-1533496).

OFFICERS President, Laura Jackson

814-652-9268

[email protected] Vice President, Mark Bonta

610-348-3282

[email protected] Secretary, Kristin Joivell

814-386-6267

[email protected] Treasurer, George Mahon

814-942-2658

[email protected] Immediate Past President, Dave Bonta

814-686-7274

[email protected]

COMMITTEE CHAIRS Membership Committee, Charlie Hoyer

814-684-7376

[email protected] Conservation Committee, Ian McGregor

814-215-0515

[email protected] Education Committee, Mark Bonta

610-348-3282

[email protected] Field Trips Committee, Deb Tencer

814-932-9183

[email protected] Programs Committee, Mark Bonta

610-348-3282

[email protected] Publications & Publicity Comm., Dave Bonta

814-686-7274

[email protected] Hospitality Committee, Marcia Bonta

814-684-3113

[email protected] Historian, Mike Jackson

814-652-9268

[email protected] Website Administrator, Dave Bonta

814-686-7274

[email protected]

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE Warren Baker

814-684-4549

Continued… The last grant allowed us to hire a consultant, Dr. Sally McMurry, Professor Emerita of History at Penn State University, to direct the application for National Register listing. The next step in the process will be a public meeting held in Bedford at the Courthouse in Room 303 on Thursday, April 30 at 7 P.M. to discuss the National Register listing nomination. In June, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Historic Preservation will receive our application and if approved, send it to the National Park Service for final determination. After federal approval, Dutch Corner will be known as the Dutch Corner Historical Agricultural District – the largest area with that designation in Pennsylvania. The threat of industrial wind development faded away in 2012, when Iberdrola Renewables withdrew their project application. The company had applied to DEP for necessary permits, but extensive mountain top destruction and impacts to sensitive watersheds resulted in DEP issuing 26 deficiencies to their proposal; most of them concerned with the severe environmental impacts. We were thrilled that the threat of industrial wind development was gone…or so we thought. Ironically, just as our six-year project comes to an end, we have to face the threat of another wind project on the same mountain. One absentee landowner, who lives in Maryland, has leased his mountaintop land to another wind company. We are trying to find out more details and have started another effort to stop this project. Industrial wind development on Evitt's Mountain will certainly degrade the historical significance of Dutch Corner.

Photo by Laura Jackson Dutch Corner is exceptional in that a very large percentage of its historic farming landscape survives.

The Gnatcatcher – May-June 2015 of 12

mailto:[email protected]




Mark Bonta pointed out slope creep by showing the group that some tree trunks were kinked, indicating evidence of instability.

It was interesting to see how Bald Eagle Mountain's profile consisted of steep slide-slopes and gentle toe-slopes. A small quarry located behind the group, showed soil wedges created by permafrost action that were exposed when the shale was mined.

Periglacial and Proglacial Landscapes of Central PA Field Trip -By Marcia Bonta

Eleven JVAS members and friends joined field trip leader, Mark Bonta, for an all-day ride through a million years of geologic history. Mark presented us with a 32-page guide, complete with photos, maps, and diagrams as well as explanations for the periglacial and proglacial features at 11 stops from Tyrone to Wingate and finishing at the Thickhead Mountain above Bear Meadows Natural Area in Rothrock State Forest. We examined a wide variety of periglacial features, so-called because of continental glaciers to the north of our area. The close presence of these glaciers during several ice ages, including the last one that ended about 15,000 years ago, gave our area climates as extreme as those of present-day Greenland. We also learned a lot of neat geological terms such as colluvium (the remains of bedrock that split and fractured from extreme freezing

and thawing and slid downhill), cryoterraces (tops of mountains flattened by frost action), and cryoturbation (a fancy term for frost heaving). Starting at Tyrone’s I-99 Park and Ride beside the Little Juniata River, Mark explained that the site of Tyrone existed because of alluvial material deposited during previous ice ages, particularly the last one known as the Wisconsinian Glaciation. Gazing up at Brush Mountain above the river, at the westernmost ridge in the Ridge-and-Valley Province, and then across at the Allegheny Front, we had to imagine them much higher, like today’s Rocky Mountains. Suffice it to say, we saw a variety of interesting places, including the

fossil braided stream channel at the Albemarle Nature Trail near Tyrone, an important but locally uncommon type of wetland, where we took a short level trail that was rimmed with flowering skunk cabbage.

As we drove up Bald Eagle Valley, we had to imagine it once filled with glacial Lake Lesley when, some 700 to 800 thousand years ago, the West Branch of the Susquehanna River was blocked near present-day Lock Haven by the lobe of a massive continental glacier. The water backed up and lapped at its shore in the vicinity of present-day State College and all along the Bald Eagle Valley, lasting 7000 years until it broke through the water divide at Bald Eagle, sending one or more massive “jökelhlaup” floods down the Juniata. Continuing to Wingate, we stood in the Bald Eagle High School parking lot and gazed across at the remnants of a paleo-landslide scar and debris fan of unknown age, which Mark was able to identify using LiDAR, a laser-based aerial mapping system. After a picnic lunch at Bald Eagle State Park, where we saw an adult bald eagle overhead, hooded and common mergansers in the water, and the Nature Inn, we ended the day driving carefully over icy patches on Rothrock State Forest roads to Treaster Kettle and Thickhead Mountain, observing solifluction lobes, cryoplanation terraces, and patterned ground, the latter which was especially obvious when Mark pointed it out. This field trip gave us a different vision of the land we inhabit, making us realize that change is inevitable on our planet even though those changes have, in past geologic time, been mostly slow. Then European-Americans moved in, in the late 1700s, stripping our hillsides to make charcoal for the iron industry, followed by the stripping of the overburden for coal-mining, the permanent conversion of fields to pasture, road building, and other much faster changes to the landscape. But all the exploitation humans have done of the natural world have only been possible because of past geological forces.

The Gnatcatcher – May-June 2015 of 12

Save trees! Save funds!

Please help us save JVAS funds for conservation projects. Email Laura Jackson ([email protected]) to sign up for a digital copy of The Gnatcatcher. You'll get The Gnatcatcher sooner and the photos will be in color. We pledge to keep your e-mail address confidential and we won't share it with other organizations or companies.

JVAS Bluebird Trail at Fort Roberdeau by Dr. Stan Kotala

Central Pennsylvania was not a location of major battles during the American Revolution, but we do have a unique Revolutionary War site. Between Altoona and State College is Fort Roberdeau, a Blair County Historic and Natural Area. Fort Roberdeau was reconstructed during America’s bicentennial year in 1976. Since then, the County of Blair has gradually assembled 230 acres surrounding the fort to protect the integrity of this site. Unlike many Revolutionary War sites, Fort Roberdeau’s surroundings are similar to those encountered in the mid-18th century. The park itself consists of 35 acres of woodland and 195 acres of fields, some of which are farmed. The JVAS Bluebird Trail follows a long but circuitous hedgerow through fields surrounding the fort. Juniata Valley Audubon installed and maintains 30 bluebird boxes along this trail, and, during the nesting season, this trail bustles with activity as Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows vie for possession of these homes and later hunt for insects to feed their voracious young. Twenty- five years ago, the Eastern Bluebird was a rare sight due to the elimination of hedgerows and the adoption of “clean” farming practices. The widespread installation of birdhouses specifically constructed for Eastern Bluebirds has brought this species back to become a once-again common inhabitant of hedgerows and open areas.

Notice of an Addition to the JVAS Bylaws We will vote on this Addition to the Bylaws at the June Picnic.

Addition:

SECTION 8 - The main duty of the Immediate Past President is to assist the Board of Directors in the maintenance of

continuity from one administration to the next. The Immediate Past President has a full vote at all meetings of the

Board of Directors. The Immediate Past President should serve as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The term

of office of Immediate Past President should be concurrent with the term(s) of the succeeding Chapter President for

2 years. This position should remain vacant until the current President succeeds into this position.

of 12 The Gnatcatcher – May-June 2015

Photo by Laura Jackson Eastern Bluebirds eat mostly insects, wild fruit and berries. Occasionally, Eastern Bluebirds have also been observed capturing and eating larger prey items such as shrews, salamanders, snakes, lizards and tree frogs.


JVAS at the PAEE Conference

JVAS Secretary Kristin Joivell represented Juniata Valley Audubon Society (JVAS) at the Pennsylvania Association of

Environmental Educators Conference (PAEE), held at Lake Raystown Resort on March 15. Kristin, a Kindergarten

teacher at Juniata Valley Elementary School in Alexandria, and an advisor for her district's Science Club, is one of

those rare educators who brings her enthusiasm for nature into the classroom. She was on hand at the PAEE

Conference to display information about JVAS and to demonstrate a neat activity she does with her students to

help them learn about the different adaptations of birds' beaks. A big shout-out goes to Kristin for her efforts to

help other teachers incorporate nature into their classroom.

The JVAS Board Needs Your Help!!! We would love to have volunteers to fill the following positions:

Director-at-Large: We have two openings. A JVAS Director should attend Board meetings to provide input on JVAS policies and activities. The position does not entail a lot of time or work; just a commitment to try to attend the 5 Board meetings each year. The JVAS Board meets at 6:30 P.M. on the first Tuesday of February, April, August, October, and December.

All members are welcome to attend!

Program Meetings Our monthly program meetings are free and open to everyone. Our usual location is the Bellwood-Antis Public Library and refreshments are provided. The programs last about an hour, following a brief sharing of conservation news, wildlife sightings and club business. Audience members with time constraints are able to slip out at any time, and late-comers are welcome as well.

Page 4 of 8 The Gnatcatcher – May-June 2015 of 12

http://www.jvas.org/locations/bellwood-antis-public-library/

http://www.jvas.org/locations/bellwood-antis-public-library/

Upcoming Activities and Programs Our evening programs, designed for a general audience, are free and open to the public. We meet in the Bellwood-Antis Library at 526 Main Street, Bellwood, PA at 7 P.M. Directions: Take Interstate I-99 to the Bellwood/Route 865 Exit (Exit 41). Follow Rt. 865 through the Sheetz/Martin's intersection. Proceed about 4 blocks and turn right at the "Business District" sign, just before the railroad overpass. Turn left at the dead end and travel to the stop sign. Continue straight for a short distance; the library will be on your right.

May 19, 2015: Amphibian Diseases TALK: The occurrence of emergent infectious diseases in Pennsylvania's amphibian populations SPEAKER: James Julian is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Division of Math and Natural Sciences at Penn State Altoona. Dr. Julian will speak about his research on emergent diseases in Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota) populations, and about important related research on the Wood Frog and the Hellbender.

June 16, 2015: Maxine Levarchik Memorial Picnic 6 P.M.

Pine Hill Picnic Area Rothrock State Forest Bring a covered dish and your own tableware for a 6 P.M. covered dish social at the Pine Hill Picnic Area, located in Rothrock State Forest, along Diamond Valley Road, northwest of Petersburg. Visitors will find two picnic pavilions, picnic tables, grills, and toilet facilities. We will explore the woods and stream near the picnic area, looking for all sorts of woodland and aquatic critters. For more information, contact Hospitality Chair Marcia Bonta at 684-3113. Directions to Pine Hill Picnic Area From Route 22 at Alexandria: Turn onto PA-305 / Bridge St for 0.5 miles. Turn right to stay on PA-305 / Main St for 3.0 miles. Arrive at Petersburg, PA on PA-305 / Diamond St. Turn left to stay on PA-305 / King St for 0.7 miles. Turn left onto Diamond Valley Rd for 1.5 miles. Keep right to stay on Diamond Valley Rd for 3.5 miles. Arrive at Pine Hill Picnic Area. From State College: Depart on PA-26 S / W College Ave. Keep straight onto PA-26 / W College Ave. Keep straight onto PA-26 / PA-45 / Pine Grove Rd for 1.3 miles. Turn left onto PA-26 / Water St for 2.0 miles. Keep straight onto PA-760 / McAlevy’s Fort Rd for 2.1 miles. Turn right onto Charter Oak Rd for 5.9 miles. Bear right onto PA-305 / Shavers Creek Rd for 1.3 miles Turn right onto Globe Run Rd for 2.4 miles. Road name changes to Diamond Valley Rd for 2.0 miles Arrive at Pine Hill Picnic Area. (The last intersection is Morton Rd. If you reach Mule Rd, you’ve gone too far.)

Online at JVAS.org

or visit JVAS on Facebook


Tuesday, May 5: Sweetwater Farm Birding Trip and Tour of Green Drake Gallery starts at 9 A.M. We will visit Sweetwater Farm at 155 Murray School Lane in Spring Mills for a few hours of spring migration birding hosted by Karl Leitzel, then drive 10 minutes to the Green Drake Gallery & Arts Center at 101-B West Main St., Millheim, for a tour of the gallery. Karl is a Managing Partner and Resident Artist of the Green Drake. Karl has promised to demonstrate his technique in painting birds like the beautiful Blackburnian Warbler. The tour will be followed by lunch at the nearby Inglebean Coffee House. We will carpool from the Tyrone I-99 Park and Ride lot at 7:45 A.M. for the 1-hour drive to Spring Mills. Please let trip leaders know that you plan to participate: Mike and Laura Jackson 814-652-9268, [email protected]

Saturday, May 9: Life in the River - Juniata Valley Elementary School 7775 Juniata Valley Pike, Alexandria, PA. 12 Noon to 3 P.M. Join Kristin Joivell and her Science Club students from Juniata Valley Elementary School as they guide you through a hands-on exploration of the life in and around the river near their school. We will focus on finding aquatic macro-invertebrates in order to meet our end goal for the day’s event. Our goal is to determine the quality of the environment by indicating the types of organisms living in the river, also called a biotic index. You will also be able to examine the school’s raised garden bed project and outdoor education center. Additionally, light refreshments will be served. Come prepared to get into the water, meet unfamiliar creatures, and discover the outdoor world near Juniata Valley Elementary School! If you would like more details about the event or have any questions make sure to call Kristin at (814) 386-6267.

Sunday, May 10: Trough Creek State Park Wildflower Ramble starts at 10:00 AM There are a few areas of moderate difficulty, but this is not a true hike. As on past wildflower rambles, be prepared to dawdle and examine nearly every plant we pass in full wildflower geek-out mode for approximately the next 5 hours. We can't go to Trough Creek State Park without saying hello to the balanced rock, however, so meet us at 10:00 A.M. at the Balanced Rock trailhead on Trough Creek Drive. Bring a packed lunch. Trip Leaders: Marcia and Dave Bonta 814-684-3113.

Saturday, May 16: Mountain Meadows Nature Hike starts at 10:00 A.M. The nature walk will last from 10 AM to noon. Highlights will include exploring the native wildflower gardens and bird watching along the trails. Participants will also see how a recent shelterwood cut will provide better habitat for early successional species such as woodcock, whip-poor-wills, and golden-winged warblers. Wear sturdy walking shoes, bring a lunch and drink. Directions: Take I-99 South to the Everett exit. Follow Rt. 30 East for about 8 miles. Take the exit for Business Rt. 30 into Everett. Turn Right onto 5th Ave. and cross a bridge over the Raystown Branch. (If you pass the Everett Foodliner you have gone too far.) Then make an immediate Right onto Black Valley Road. After 2.5 miles, turn Right onto a gravel road labeled "The Jacksons." Follow this lane for 0.5 miles and watch for parking signs. Trip Leaders: Mike and Laura Jackson 814-652-9268 Address: 8621 Black Valley Road Everett, PA 15537

Saturday, May 23: Golden-winged Warbler Driving Tour starts at 8 A.M. We will carpool from the parking lot at Dave's Dream Restaurant in Hollidaysburg to SGL 322 in Huntingdon County to search for one of Pennsylvania's most secretive and elusive songbirds. They are breeding on SGL 322, so we should find them. Be prepared to walk short distances on trails. From there we will drive to a nearby location on private property where Golden-winged Warblers may be seen or heard. Bring binoculars. Round trip distance is about 80 miles. Optional lunch at Dave's Dream. Please let trip leaders know that you plan to participate: Mike and Laura Jackson 814-652-9268 [email protected]

Oil Painting of a Blackburnian

Warbler by Karl Eric Leitzel


Field Trips Continued…

Saturday, June 6: Paddling along the Little "J" from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. The Little Juniata River is a 32-mile tributary of the Juniata River, part of the Susquehanna River watershed. It is considered to be scenic along much of its route, passing through many water gaps. We will be kayaking this scenic river while discussing its rich history, local conservation efforts, and geological formations. We will also discuss local water quality and the benefits of the limestone-rich tributaries that feed the Little Juniata. The trip will consist of approximately a 12-mile paddle with the option to take out at a mid-point. We will be unloading at the pull-off right past Plummers Hollow Road bridge to Rt. 453 – on the right, just before the Y-intersection with Rt. 550- and we will take out at Barree. We will start at 9:00 A.M. and will end at approximately end 5:00 P.M. when we reach our final destination in Barree. There will be a short lunch break planned in the afternoon, so bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. The route can prove to be tricky at some points, so experience is recommended, but not necessary (first timers are welcome too). Kayaks are recommended, but canoes are also welcome. If transportation of kayaks or canoes is needed, or if you have any questions regarding the trip, please contact trip leader Ian McGregor. Anyone wishing to paddle must contact Ian before the trip, to arrange the shuttle. Contact Ian via email at [email protected] or by phone (preferred) at 814-215-0515.

Native Wildflower photos by Laura Jackson

1:_____________________________ 2:_____________________________

3:_____________________________ 4:_____________________________



tel:814-215-0515

5:_______________________________ 6:______________________________

7:_______________________________ 8:______________________________

9:______________________________ 10:_____________________________

Answer Key is on page 10


Our National Audubon Society “Veterans”

According to the March 2015 membership roster of the National

Audubon Society, there are 320 National members in the Juniata Valley

Chapter. The 29 National members who have the earliest membership

starting dates on the roster are shown below.

Charles & Marjorie Hoyer

Dr. Betty Lowell Cottle

Marcia Bonta

Karl H. Striedieck

Larry Mutti

Frank Kovaloski Jr.

Mike & Laura Jackson

Jesse Perry

Robert & Cheryl Washburn

William Churchill

Ruth E. Marshall

Gregory W. Grove

Glenn E. Baker

Donald A. Bryant

John H. Orr

Mary Jo Casalena

Devonna Sue Morra

Mary E. Cramer

Barbara Hornung

Wayne Kirktrick

Ronald Kidd

Nancy & Neil Smith

Connie Frazier

James Stewart

Robert W. Criswell

Tyrone

Hollidaysburg

Tyrone

Port Matilda

Alexandria

Blandburg

Everett

Martinsburg

Huntingdon

Hollidaysburg

Martinsburg

Huntingdon

Ashville

Port Matilda

Altoona

Beford

Gallitzin

Duncansville

Altoona

Altoona

Buffalo Mills

Warriors Mark

Duncansville

Martinsburg

Huntingdon

04/15/1968

03/01/1972

03/01/1972

03/01/1972

01/01/1977

11/01/1980

03/01/1981

05/01/1981

03/01/1985

09/01/1986

07/01/1987

07/01/1989

01/01/1991

09/01/1992

11/01/1992

11/01/1993

03/01/1994

05/01/1994

01/01/1995

03/01/1996

05/01/1996

09/01/1996

03/01/1997

03/01/1997

05/01/1997

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Please send your newsletter submissions to Laura Jackson ([email protected]) by the first of February, April, August, October, and December, in order to be printed in the subsequent issue of The Gnatcatcher. Please submit conservation news, field trip reports, book reviews, poetry, or a nature article that you think will interest our members.


Answer Key - 1:VA Bluebells 2:Spring Beauty 3:Dutchman’s Breeches 4:Purple Trillium 5:Long Spurred Violet 6:Trailing Arbutus 7:Halberd Leaf Yellow Violet 8:Bloodroot 9:Wild Bleeding Heart 10:Pinxster Many wildflowers have quite a few different common names. For example, Pinxster is also called Wild Azalea. The yellow trillium in photo 4 is also a Purple Trillium - this wildflower may be purple, white, or yellow.


Off the Shelf We hope "Off the Shelf" will appear in every issue of The Gnatcatcher, but that will only happen if you send in your

reviews of natural history books. We also welcome feedback. Email Laura Jackson to contribute a book review, or if you

have a comment about a book that was reviewed. Please note that contributions for the next newsletter should be sent

to Laura by August 1, 2015. Good reading!

WELCOME TO SUBIRDIA: SHARING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WITH WRENS, ROBINS, WOODPECKERS, AND OTHER WILDLIFE

by John M. Marzluff -Reviewed by Marcia Bonta

The subtitle explains the premise of this entertaining and informative book by John M. Marzluff, an ornithologist best known for his long-term study of crows in the Seattle area. A professor of wildlife science at the University of Washington, Marzluff has been sending out his students to study a wide diversity of birds and other wild creatures that have adapted to suburban and city life and especially to those yards planted with a wide variety of shrubs and trees. Although he admits many changes to the landscape by humans have damaged and continue to damage our earth’s biodiversity, in the numerous suburban and urban areas he’s visited, for instance, Berlin, Germany, where he watched white-tailed sea eagles fish the Wannsee, New York City’s Central Park where he saw thirty-one native bird species, and Seattle where he was buzzed by an Anna’s hummingbird, many bird species still thrive. “Human neighborhoods are good for birds,” he maintains, “because they offer a wide range of habitats in a small area,” and he defines ”subirdia” as “a richly interwoven mixture of residential, commercial, and wilder land.” After several fascinating chapters recounting studies of adaptable birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects by urban ecologists in North America, Europe, Australia, and Central America, he reaches the heart of his book, what he calls “Nature’s Ten Commandments.” Number one is, “do not covet your neighbor’s lawn.” Marzluff points out that as of 2005, 2 percent of the United States—40 million acres—was lawn-covered, resulting in the use of 800 million gallons of gas, seven

billion gallons of water, three million tons of nitrogen fertilizer and 30,000 tons of pesticide per year to maintain a landscape almost completely devoid of natural habitat. Furthermore, to fill lawn mowers seventeen million gallons of gas—more than the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez in 1989—is spilled every year. And pesticide use is ten times the amount used by the average farmer. Such pesticides can disrupt normal hormone function and reproduction and may cause cancer, he writes. He calls lawns “the ultimate green desert” because while some birds forage on lawns—think robins—“not a single species of bird, mammal, reptile or amphibian reproduces and carries out the other life functions in the modern lawn.” Still, he does understand folks’ love of lawns and suggests a “Freedom Lawn” instead, which will attract a wide variety of wild creatures. With pages of examples of people growing such lawns, he tries to gently persuade readers to tend to small lawns cut by hand mowers surrounded by diverse plantings. To learn more about the wild creatures scientists are studying in subirdia, as well as Marzluff’s other nine commandments, read this book. You can then follow it up by studying his extensive notes and references at the end of Welcome to Subirdia.


JVAS Has T-shirts for SALE!!

Proceeds benefit Golden-winged Warbler Conservation

Cost is $20 if picked up at a meeting or $25 if shipped

XXL Shirts are an extra $2.00

T-shirts are good quality, organic cotton, in Black Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large Contact Laura Jackson to place your order [email protected] or 814-652-9268 This is on the back of the shirt, centered, in yellow:

“The purchase of this shirt helped one of the most threatened birds in North America.” -Juniata Valley Audubon Society-

jvas.org

This logo will be on the front of the shirt.

JUNIATA VALLEY AUDUBON

PO BOX 42

TYRONE, PA 16686-0042

Address Service Requested

the gnatcatcher vol. xlvii, no. 3 — may / june 2015

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